What time is USA vs Germany? All you need to know about the Group G decider

In the goals: Will Miroslav Klose net the record-breaking goal this evening? (Image: Getty)

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With a draw enough to see both sides through to the knockout stages, will USA and Germany opt for a non-aggression pact in red-hot Recife?

The USA were so close they could taste the last 16 but Portugal cruelly equalised with the last kick of the game and they now face a nervy encounter with one of the World Cup's most dominant forces.

Having pulled off a stunning win against Ghana, the USA's 2-2 stalemate with Portugal leaves them sitting in the runner-up spot but it is a precarious lead they hold over third-placed Ghana, and it is a long way down.

By beating the USA they will secure top spot in Group G but eliminate their hero's side, as long as Ghana beat Portugal and at least one of the results is decided by more than one goal.

But a repeat of the 'non aggression pact of Gijon', in which West Germany and Austria casually played out a 1-0 win they knew would see both sides through, would ensure knock-out stage qualification for both sides.

It is still possible for Portugal to finish as runners-up but the Stars and Stripes faithful will be rooting for their recent tormentors as Ronaldo & co's goal difference is so poor due to their trouncing by Germany that, barring a giant victory against Ghana or a similarly one-sided affair in the USA v Germany fixture, the Americans would remain in second spot.

When is it?

The game will take place on Thursday June 26 at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Kick off will be at 5pm GMT.

Where is it?

The sides could face heat of 30 degrees Celcius and humidity of 90% in Recife. England and Italy fiercely battled the oppressive heat and humidity in similarly muggy Manaus to put on a lively 2-1 spectacle.

Had they cannily opted for the mutually beneficial goalless draw, perhaps one of the sides would have managed to beat Costa Rica or Uruguay in their subsequent matches.

It is not just the prospect of risking and losing points in Group G that should frighten the coaches – the prospect of a team too exhausted from an intense match in sweltering conditions (two in the USA's case) to compete in subsequent matches could lead to a more drab affair than Ghanaian or Portuguese fans may appreciate.

Cauldron: Both teams can expect as much as 90% humidity for the clash this evening (Image: Getty)

Previous matches

Germany kicked off with a 4-0 trouncing of Portugal.

The Portuguese, fancied by everyone but their own media to have a decent impact in Brazil, were already being torn apart at 2-0 when Pepe did a Pepe and was sent off for a reckless head-butt on Thomas Müller, who in fairness reacted like he'd been attacked by a chainsaw to both the initial challenge and the ensuing tête-à-tête.

Die Mannschaft went on to get another two, with Müller completing his hat-trick and centre-half Mats Hummels joining the party.

They struggled against Ghana, however. After Mario Götze's header broke the deadlock, the Africans turned the tables through André Ayew and Asamoah Gyan.

The Germans managed nearly half as many shots as the Africans, but still snatched a draw through a Miroslav Klose toe poke that equalled the all-time record of 15 World Cup goals set by Ronaldo (the fat one).

The USA began with a dramatic 2-1 win against Ghana. Their team cohesion has impressed greatly but it was a dazzling solitary effort from former Fulham forward Clint Dempsey that opened the scoring within 29 seconds – the fifth fastest goal in World Cup history.

Ghana pulled one back thanks to André Ayew but a late header by Hertha Berlin defender John Brooks gave his side a dream start.

The Portugal match was a heartbreaker for the Americans, who boast the largest travelling support at the World Cup. When Nani scored in the fifth minute, there were fears that the floodgates would open in the humid jungle of Manaus but Klinsmann had set up an obstinate and tenacious side.

Golazo: Jermaine Jones netted one of the goals of the tournament last time out (Image: Getty)

Tough tackling and tireless running from Kyle Beckerman, Fabian Johnson and even Dempsey, who fearlessly played through a broken nose, kept the US in contention until the second half, when Jermaine Jones struck a 30-yard thunderbolt that left Beto helplessly stranded as it swerved delicately into his net.

Dempsey thought he'd booked a berth the knock-out rounds with ten minutes left when he bundled home substitute Zusi's pass but Silvestre Varela headed in a pin-point Cristiano Ronaldo cross in the dying seconds to kill the dream and take Group G to the final day.

Ones to watch

Thomas Müller – Devastating against Portugal with three goals from four shots, the Bayern Munich marksman is the spearhead of a terrifyingly potent German attack.

Miroslav Klose – All 15 of his record-equalling World Cup goals were from almost precisely the same spot; in or around the six-yard box. He's a poacher through and through and Joachim Löw may well give him the chance to beat Ronaldo's tally in this game.

Clint Dempsey – The US skipper who once lit up the Premier League is making his mark on the World Cup. An all-round threat with dogged determination and an insatiable appetite for goals, he's always capable of producing a winner.

Fabien Johnson – Arguably the best German-born full-back at the World Cup (if only because Philipp Lahm now plays in midfield), the revelatory Johnson bombed down the right with reckless abandon against Portugal.

Though susceptible to defensive frailties, he is a fearsome threat going forwards.

Klose bit no cigar: Will Miroslav break the record later today? (Image: Getty)

Where can I catch it?

This match will be screened on BBC1, presented by Gary Lineker, with coverage beginning thirty minutes before kick-off at 4:30pm.

Radio coverage is available on BBC Radio 5 Live from 4:30pm with Mark Pougatch.

But what if I don’t have a TV or a radio handy?

Not to worry, we'll have a LIVE blog of the game updating available right HERE.

Stay tuned for build-up and line-ups, but in the meantime make sure you follow our World Cup Day 15 live blog. It's full of all the news and views coming out of Brazil that you need to know.

Betting

The line, as Americans say, is drawn at 2.5 goals – over or under will cost you evens depending on whether you fancy a consensus draw or goals galore.

The USA are 10/1 to cause an upset. Germany to win is 5/7 and the draw is at 11/5.